The Milwaukee Bucks are in a tailspin. At 17-23 on the season, they just hit what might be rock bottom - a 33-point home loss to a shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves squad missing both Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert.
The final score: 139-106. And yes, the Fiserv Forum crowd let them hear it.
Boos rained down, and in a rare moment of visible frustration, Giannis Antetokounmpo fired back with some boos of his own. It was the kind of night that doesn’t just sting - it lingers.
The loss has only intensified the scrutiny surrounding this Bucks team and head coach Doc Rivers, who’s still trying to find his footing with a roster that looks increasingly disjointed. The fan base, already skeptical, is growing louder in its doubts. And with trade rumors swirling, the pressure is mounting.
But there’s no time to dwell. The Bucks are headed to San Antonio for a Thursday night matchup with the Spurs - a team that Giannis has historically played well against. And if there’s ever a time for a bounce-back, this might be it.
Giannis vs. the Spurs: A History of Dominance
Let’s take a look at how Giannis has fared against San Antonio over the years. Spoiler: it’s been mostly good news for the Bucks.
March 20, 2021: Bucks 120, Spurs 113
This was vintage Giannis, just a few months before he led Milwaukee to its first title in half a century.
That night, he dropped 26 points, pulled down nine boards, and dished out a then-career-high 15 assists. It was a complete performance that showcased not just his scoring, but his growing playmaking ability.
Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday chipped in with 23 and 21 points, respectively, and the Bucks improved to 27-14 - a team rounding into championship form.
December 19, 2023: Bucks 132, Spurs 119
Giannis didn’t light up the scoreboard in this one - just 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting - but he impacted the game in other ways, grabbing 14 rebounds and handing out a career-best 16 assists.
It was a reminder that even when he’s not scoring, he’s still controlling the game. Damian Lillard took over the scoring load with 40 points, and Bobby Portis added 23 off the bench.
The Bucks moved to 20-7 with the win, looking like a real contender at that point in the season.
January 31, 2025: Bucks 118, Spurs 144
This one was tough.
A blowout loss, plain and simple. But Giannis still showed up - 35 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.
Lillard added 22, and Middleton came off the bench for 21. The problem?
San Antonio’s offense was humming, and Milwaukee couldn’t keep up. Victor Wembanyama had 30 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks - a statement game for the young star.
Still, Giannis outscored him and held his own. The loss stung, but Giannis did everything he could.
November 24, 2018: Bucks 135, Spurs 129
Back in the early days of the Mike Budenholzer era, this game was a sign of things to come.
Milwaukee’s offense was clicking like never before, and Giannis led the charge with 34 points, 18 rebounds, and eight assists. He had help - Middleton (21), Malcolm Brogdon (23), and Eric Bledsoe (20) all hit the 20-point mark.
That season, the Bucks would go on to win 60 games, and this high-scoring win over San Antonio was a glimpse of their new identity.
January 13, 2024: Bucks 125, Spurs 121
This one was all about the stars.
Giannis put up a season-high 44 points - his most ever against the Spurs - on an ultra-efficient 19-of-28 shooting, including 2-of-3 from deep. He also added 14 rebounds and seven assists.
Lillard backed him up with 25 points and 10 assists. It was a gritty, much-needed win, and Giannis looked every bit the two-time MVP he is.
The Bigger Picture
Over 23 career games against San Antonio, Giannis is averaging 22.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. But those numbers only tell part of the story. Against the Spurs, we’ve seen him grow - from a rising star to a full-blown superstar, and now to the leader of a team searching for answers.
Thursday’s game won’t fix everything for the Bucks. But with tensions high and the season slipping away, it’s a chance to reset - and maybe, just maybe, to remind everyone that Giannis is still Giannis. And when he’s locked in, anything’s possible.